Some elements of a traditional American Thanksgiving Dinner. Photo by Ben Franske. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

A Time for Thanks

The holidays are filled with symbolism. As Thanksgiving approaches, we see the cornucopia, the horn shaped basket filled with fruits, grains, and vegetables to signify the bounty of the harvest. Black hats with buckles symbolize the early settlers. Ornamental ears of corn remind us how the first Americans taught the Pilgrims to grow corn, ensuring their survival. And the turkey represents the main course during our holiday celebration. But nothing is perhaps more symbolic than the Thanksgiving holiday meal itself.

The people we gather around our table, and in our kitchens—the heart of our home—on Thanksgiving are important to us. Inviting someone to partake in Thanksgiving dinner with your family says, “You’re special to me. You contribute to the things I’m most thankful for.” Of course, Aunt Betty and Cousin Marie might bring up politics. And hard-to-please Uncle Fran might complain that the turkey is too dry. But everyone around the table is an important part of who you are…who your family is…what you’re all about…where you’ve been and maybe even where you aim to go.

As we fill our bellies with delicious food on Thanksgiving, we nourish our soul as well. The day offers us a chance to gather together generations of friends and family, to tell stories, to share memories, and to pass our rituals on to those who will take over the holidays in the future.

Thanksgiving is a holiday that envelops all of our senses. We smell the delicious smell of the turkey roasting. We see the beautiful candles and place settings. We hear the cheers during the football game and the laughter of the youngsters and the young at heart. And we taste the rich and creamy pumpkin pie. We engage our bodies, our minds, and our hearts on Thanksgiving Day.

Our holiday rituals are powerful. As you work in the kitchen—the heart of your home —
to prepare the holiday meal for your loved ones, before you gather around the table and carve the bird, take a moment to think about your Thanksgiving traditions. What do they mean to you? Do you follow the traditions from your own childhood or have you developed your own? Which rituals do you hope will keep going for generations to come?

As all of us here at Marble & Granite, Inc. prepare to gather in unity with our loved ones, we give thanks for our abundance. We humbly reflect on all the gifts in our lives: our family, friends, health, our community, values, our traditions, and our ability to express them. We are sincerely thankful for your business and friendship and we wish you and yours health, happiness, and prosperity this Thanksgiving Day and always.